LaLiga SantanderLost after taking the lead at home

After three solid performances in big games against Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Ajax, Real Madrid were defeated 2-1 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu by Girona.

Although Los Blancos took a 1-0 lead, the Catalan team prevailed in the second half and came back to win the match.

Real Madrid suffered a blow in their title pursuit and there are six particular reasons behind their collapse on Sunday.

Physical fatigue

Madrid played many games in a row and their last one was against a more rested opponent.

Their performance in the first half was more than acceptable but, in the second period, the players showed their lack of physical condition.

"We've had many matches in the last month and a half, and the team has felt it," said Lucas Vazquez after the defeat.

Mental fatigue

Real Madrid have been struggling for many years to stay at the highest level every three days and mental fatigue is something that may occur to teams that recover their form.

After playing against Barcelona, Atleti and Ajax, Real Madrid regained the sense of domination and seemed confused against an opponent, who were not scared to look at them in the eyes.

Solari's changes before the game

More than half of the team was rotated, following the game against Ajax, as Alvaro Odriozola, Raphael Varane, Marcelo, Dani Ceballos, Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio replaced Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez, Sergio Reguilon, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Vinicius Jr.

Although the Argentine introduced a starting line-up of high quality, the team missed several players such as Carvajal, Modric and Vinicius, whose form was recently boosted, while Marcelo had another underwhelming display.

Solari's changes during the match

Vazquez was replaced by Vinicius and Real Madrid lost their balance in the midfield, while neither Bale's substitution helped the team.

His worst decision, however, was to take off Ceballos, as Girona dominated in the midfield after the former Real Betis player headed to the bench.

The current shape of some players

Although Marcelo has been one of the best left-backs in Real Madrid's history, his current form has been poor, while neither Bale nor Asensio have managed to meet the expectations so far this season.

Girona and Sacristan's approach

Eusebio Sacristan's double substitution in the half time has boosted Girona, as Portu moved to the wing and impressed against Marcelo, who was unstable in defence.

Meanwhile, Anthony Lozano managed to exploit Odriozola's defensive weakness on the other flank, helping Girona to achieve one of the biggest wins in their history.